Ending homelessness and rough sleeping: action plan

Conclusion

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group and the Local Government and Communities Committee have provided a comprehensive set of recommendations which provide the basis for transforming the homelessness system in Scotland.

This High Level Action Plan is an important milestone, marking both a culmination of the work undertaken over the past year to deliver proposals to change the homeless system in Scotland for good; and it’s also the launch pad for the activity required to deliver on that ambition.

Homelessness, first and foremost, affects people and that is why their views have guided the formation of this plan and why understanding and addressing their needs is embedded in this document through a person centred approach.

Prevention remains a top priority going forward. If we can prevent homelessness in the first place, then we can devote more of our energy and resources to those that find themselves without a home.

We recognise that even with a robust preventative approach, there will still be occasions where someone becomes homeless. In those circumstances this Action Plan sets out how people will be rehoused more quickly and provided with the support they need to move into a settled home.

This document has been produced in partnership with the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group and they will also oversee its delivery, with a continuation of a collaborative approach. Ensuring that planning and resources are focused on supporting people when they are at their most vulnerable requires a joined-up approach right across housing partners and the wider third and public sector. This Action Plan clearly sets out how we will do that.